The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-15
KANSAS WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Its Influence and Effects Tested and Certified
to by High Authority.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
For the sake of truth and fairness we desire
to correct some Measurements sent you from
this place regarding the election of April 5. par
tcipated in and shaped largely by the newly en-
franchised women voters. Instead of ''alterca-
tons and disorder at the polls" no election ever
occurred so orderly in which much interest
was .aken. Instead Of the usual crowd jostling
at the polls, no one was allowed nearer than
fifty feet, except the voters, who advanced in two
lines, one for men, one for women. The pres.
ence OF women at tho polls had the usual effect
of toning down the rougher element and they
were accorded the respect they so well deserved.
The woman's vote was about two thirds given
to the law-and-order ticket with Thomas A.
Garrigas at it's head, and one-third only given
to the Democratic ticket. headed by S. F. Nicely.
This vote reduced the Democratic majority Of
LOO, two years ago. and elected all the City
Council, and all but two of the School Board on
the law -and-orde ticket Persistent attempts
were made to buy or influence the woman vote,
but always failed. Very few votes were changed
at the polls. In one ward 1.-THE Sixth) 240 ladies
stood in line at one time in the morning. each
with ticket in hand, and no moro confusion OBJ
servable than in waiting for tickets at concert
hall or for mail at the postofice All the objec-
tions paraded against woman voting vanished
in face of the true facts Of municipal elections in
Kansas.
A persistent attempt mas been made land for
purpose) to misrepresent the grand work done
in this campaign by Mrs. Helen NJ. Cougar of
your State. Her methods of organization were
not secres. but open as the day, by public dis
cussion of tho questions of the hour and by in
vitation ot.auy or all opponents to meet her in
open debate. That she rallied all the temper
ance ladies, nearly all the church members, was
earnestly supported by all the ministers. Sc
cured largely the laboring men and women and
the colored women for the law-andorder ticket
is an acknowledged fact by both par
haf
successful in defeating the Democratic
ticket is the reason for Misrepresentation given
to 1.-The press of her work. They resorted to
the most contemplate methods to defeat or
weaken the power she held over the newly en-
franchised voters. Failing utterly to traduce
her character, they hired press reporter from
Missouri, one Gus Thomas (who was in the State
to report against woman suffrage), to interview
her, and who, the of the election, pub
lished maliciously false statements of her inter-
view in order to prejudice the ladies of the city
against her work. With her usual promptness
Mrs. Cougar Immediately had him arrested for
libel. and proved by five witnesses, on the exam
nation. his published statement false thus BAT
fling the wicked scheme attempted. At the
close of the election and before her departure for
her home in Indiana. Mrs. Cougar received at the
residence of COL d. r. Anthony two
thousand of her friends, among them the best
men and women of our city, who most heartily
congratulated her on the splendid work she had
done for law, order and temperance in our
midst. Had the women of our city not voted,
the opposition to the law and order ticket would
have been elected by over seven hundred ma
| jority. With women as voters we elected all
but three of the whole ticket advocated by
| Mrs. Cougar This fact alone will in the minds
| of all dsinterested men and women.
| account for the malicious attacks made upon
this estimabe lady, and no better vindication Of
| her course is needed than the grand results at
| tanned
| Woman suffrage has been tested in Kan
| sas in municipal elections, and the result is so
| gratifying that full suffrage fer women will be
| given the women of our State within the next
| two years. ]. H. E. WIEGANT,
Chairman Citizens and Rep. Central Com.
D. r. ANTHONY.
Proprietor Leavenworth Times.
W. B. SLossoN.
OF Elk. Committee State Temperance Union.
LEAyKNwORTH Kan April IA.